STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Mayor Bill DeBlasio on Friday vowed a "full and thorough investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the death of Eric Garner, the 43-year-old man who died during an incident with police on a Tompkinsville sidewalk.

The mayor's office released the following statement:

"On behalf of all New Yorkers, I extend my deepest condolences to the family of Mr. Garner, who died yesterday afternoon while being placed in police custody. We have a responsibility to keep every New Yorker safe, and that includes when individuals are in custody of the NYPD. That is a responsibility that Police Commissioner Bratton and I take very seriously. We are harnessing all resources available to the City to ensure a full and thorough investigation of the circumstances of this tragic incident. The NYPD's Internal Affairs Bureau is working closely with the Office of the Richmond County District Attorney, which is leading this investigation."